Ah, it’s finally the month of February, PV Community! I say that because I’m sure you’ll agree that January felt so long - but we are not complaining. Anyway, What are you looking forward to this month? For me, it’s the end of a school term and of course, more beauty releases!

When you’re born with naturally coily, curly or wavy hair like me, then you know the struggles of styling it. It really is one of the hardest things to master when you start learning how to take care of textured hair, am I right? Especially if you’re just starting out, it can get complicated and overwhelmingly messy.

And so it was such a thrill when I was finally able to book a haircut with Cutz and Curlz by Jazz’s hair salon! They offer quality haircuts and styling sessions for beginners taking care of curly hair, as well as long time CGM (Curly Girl Method) practitioners alike.

Ever wished your primer was fully matte, blurred out some pores, offered some coverage, AND provided sun protection? Well, you should check out the Happy Skin Rescue Me Tinted Matte Sun Gel Primer (P1,199 for 40ml) released just a few days ago! This isn’t your typical tinted sunscreen, so read on to see if it’s for you.

I was feeling a bit bored of my eyeshadow options lately, so I decided to buy the Dior Backstage Eye Palette in 003 Amber Neutrals (P3,550) from the Dior store in The Podium. I do have a few eyeshadow palettes in this warm-reddish-bronzy color story, yes, so it’s not really “new” in my collection. So, oops, I guess? It’s Dior though!

It’s crazy to think that January is already coming to a close. And with that, I hope you’re 2023 is going fabulous so far. In the world of beauty, there’s always something new each week, which just adds to the overall excitement and gratitude of being alive. Okay, I’m not trying to be existential here, but it’s just nice to have another reason to celebrate life. Okay, time for the roundup!

There was a time when the word “moisturizer” was not part of the average Filipina’s vocabulary, what with the heat and humidity we deal with on a daily basis. We believed that moisturizer made us more oily, and it used to be true - most moisturizers even just 10 years ago were heavy, sticky stuff. But it’s already 2023. Now moisturizers are incredibly lightweight and have more benefits aside from hydration!

When I first watched the Tiktok of the teen who proudly talked about her first luxury bag from Charles & Keith, I only had two thoughts. First, that Charles & Keith isn’t typically considered a luxury brand* BUT, second, good for her, what a lovely gift from her dad! I checked the comments though (an unhealthy habit of mine) and of course there were people coming at her to tell her that she is NOT the proud owner of a luxury bag. How can people live lives so joyless that they can’t let a young person just enjoy a nice thing? People can be so mean.

Happy New Year, PV Community! It’s 2023 and my, I am so excited for what beauty has in store - quite literally, too - for us this year! Before we dive into the first beauty roundup this year, any beauty resolutions? Mine’s simple - to wear makeup more! I should probably challenge myself to wear makeup every single day - similar to what fellow writer Abiele Bernardo did last year! 

I've been on a roll lately with trying out skin tints! The hot weather regardless of the time of the year is perfect for using these. Supposedly lighter in feel and coverage than my well-liked tinted moisturizers, this type of base makeup provides glowy, even skin.

The Maybelline Fit Me Fresh Tint with Vitamin C (P399) is a "2-in-1 makeup and skincare product". The makeup part comes from its light coverage while the skincare part comes from the Vitamin C which may help brighten skin over time.

Last night, I rewatched Soul by Pixar Films. It’s about a band teacher named Joe Gardner who has always dreamed of becoming a real jazz musician, but just as he gets his big break in his middle age, he apparently dies. It was as beautiful and inspiring as I remember it, but it hit a little different this time. I’m turning 35 next month and as with any birthday I can’t help but wonder if I’m fulfilling my purpose in life.

My hair has always been one of the physical attributes I pay most attention to but only last year did I really learn how to care for it properly. I have also become more confident in exploring different styles and colors so my hair has been through a lot - to say the least.

I am fresh from my fifth dye job of the year so I decided to put the Saborino Shampoo Moist (P995 / 440ml) and the Saborino Treatment (Conditioner) Moist (P995 / 440ml) to the test!

Shiseido is famous for their skincare, but did you know that they consistently create some of the best foundations in the world? Seriously. Whatever your skin type or skin need is, there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for you! They have powders, creams, liquids, and hybrids to address skin concerns. I’ve used the Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation (Old Formula) before and Liz loved the Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation she tested last year.

Have you heard about the AHA Cleansing Research Wash (P725 /120g)? It’s a Japanese cleanser that is formulated to be multi-purpose: it aims to remove makeup, cleanse the skin, and exfoliate all at the same time. It claims to erase dullness for a complexion as fresh and glowing as if you had just had a beauty treatment, so let’s see if it delivered!

A little about my situation: I have dry and sensitive skin, as well as natural texture and acne marks.

Let's discuss something that's been a must-buy on every beauty lover's Japan haul list - Rohto Eye Drops. I first discovered Rohto around 10 years ago during one of my Tokyo trips. The first one I tried were the Z Drops because the bottles were displayed so prominently on the shelves in Matsumoto Kiyoshi that I just had to buy it. It was a chilling surprise - in the best way possible! I was then addicted to the Rohto Lycee eyedrops which is their beauty product, to help brighten eyes while wearing makeup.

As 2022 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to list down all the things that I’m grateful for this year. When I was younger I would usually end the year with a list of things that I accomplished - the things I was most proud of. But now that I’m a little older I realize that gratitude brings me more joy than feelings of pride. Do you feel the same?

Here’s what I’m grateful for this year!

Last minute gifts for your Secret Santa at a holiday party can be tricky to find: you might need a Christmas-y gift, or a gift costing around P500 more or less. A good place to check out is The Body Shop where you can get skincare, lotions, bath products, fragrances, and a whole lot more!

If you're anything like me, you're always on the lookout for the best skincare products to keep your skin feeling its best. That’s why you should explore Augustinus Bader, a luxurious German skincare brand, which has recently become available in the Philippines!

With Christmas right around the corner, Parlon is here to level up your gift giving skills because now, you can easily give your beauty besties and loved ones the gift of self-care with a Parlon Gifting!

‘Tis the season of gift giving! As we count down the days to Christmas, have you got your gifts sorted out already? If you want to #SkincareAboutSomeone this holiday season, Kiehl's has released their limited edition holiday sets.